Growth Story: Ulta Beauty + Space NK as Global Blueprint
The Future of Beauty Retail
Space NK , one of the UK’s leading beauty retailers, turned a new page in its history after being acquired by Ulta Beauty in July 2025 . The momentum of this acquisition is now realized in the unveiling of a major new flagship at Birmingham’s Bullring Shopping Center , which is the largest Space NK location outside of London .
Bold Acquisition: Ulta Beauty’s Move Into the UK Ulta Beauty , the largest beauty specialty retailer in the U.S. , completed the acquisition of Space NK from Manzanita Capital , with a
strategic plan to expand internationally. CEO Kecia Steelman said showing its significance: “International expansion is an integral part of our Ulta Beauty Unleashed plan, and the acquisition of Space NK offers a unique and strategically compelling opportunity to enter the growing UK market with a successful and growing brand”.
For Space NK , CEO Andy Lightfoot shared , “We have long respected Ulta Beauty as the leading specialty beauty retailer in the U.S .
We are energized and excited by the opportunity to join Ulta Beauty and benefit from its scale, brand relationships and resources to further fuel our mission to serve beauty obsessed consumers through expertise and innovation”.
The deal hands Ulta Beauty instant access to 83 Space NK stores in the UK and Ireland , and a prestigious foothold in a soaring $13.8 billion UK beauty market, expected to reach $20.1 billion by 2033…
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